Description
This Teriyaki Chicken with Pineapple is a deliciously sweet and savory dish featuring tender chicken pieces simmered in a homemade teriyaki sauce with juicy pineapple chunks. Perfect for a quick and easy weeknight dinner, this Asian-inspired recipe combines the richness of soy and honey with the tropical brightness of pineapple, garnished with sesame seeds and green onions for extra flavor and texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Cooking
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Teriyaki Sauce
- 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup honey or brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
Additional Ingredients
- 1 cup pineapple chunks, fresh or canned (drained)
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey (or brown sugar), rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger until well combined to create the teriyaki sauce.
- Make Cornstarch Slurry: In a separate small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water thoroughly to form a smooth slurry; set aside for thickening the sauce later.
- Cook Chicken: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned and cooked through.
- Add Sauce and Pineapple: Pour the prepared teriyaki sauce over the cooked chicken in the skillet. Stir in the pineapple chunks so they are well incorporated with the chicken and sauce.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Thicken Sauce: Stir the cornstarch slurry into the skillet and continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken and pineapple evenly, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped green onions if desired. Serve hot over rice or noodles for a complete meal.
Notes
- Use fresh pineapple for a brighter, more vibrant flavor or canned pineapple for convenience.
- For a smoky twist, grill the pineapple chunks before adding them to the skillet.
- Adjust the sweetness or saltiness of the sauce by modifying the amounts of honey and soy sauce to your taste preference.
